Worst towns in NJ (Newark, Jersey City: zoning, stats, richest)

[rr4871]

I grew up in West New York, which is close to Union City next to Jersey City. Let's face it, is there really a safe area? Midwest, kids are going to their schools and shooting people. Even @ malls. Let's not even discuss the West Coast, and not too familiar with the South. I now live in Nutley, and although not advertised, how many junior high-highschoolers are or have been in rehab for cocaine/heroine abuse. I have yet to see an area that is squeaky clean w/out their own issues. Just doesn't exist in this day/age. Manalpan is a nice town though.

[Jcase]

What do you notice? All the cities and area's in NJ for the MOST part have a high percentage of Minorities.. It is unfortunate but this is the world we live in.. No matter where you go, the higher the miniroty population the higher the crime etc... [

quote=dullnboring;65251]While I certainly wouldn't call it the worst town in New Jersey since that title undoubtably goes to one of the members of the Trinity of Infamy, Newark, Camden and Atlantic City, I have to say that one city that I've visited that I thought was pretty awful was Vineland. Something about that city just made me feel very nervous. I'm not sure what it was as it's certainly not as rundown and dangerous as Newark or Trenton, but I just felt really uneasy there, like all eyes were on me and I had to watch my back wherever I went. It also was like this bizarre juxtaposition of rural, suburban and inner city combined into one, taking the worst of each three areas and shoving them into a town that smells like animal feed.[/quote]

[apvbguy]

Originally Posted by dullnboring

While I certainly wouldn't call it the worst town in New Jersey since that title undoubtably goes to one of the members of the Trinity of Infamy, Newark, Camden and Atlantic City, I have to say that one city that I've visited that I thought was pretty awful was Vineland.

I agree that vineland is dumpy but it is far from the worst town NJ has to offer, paterson, irvington, e. orange and many others are all as bad as the evil 3

[JennyOnTheMove]

Aaaah, New Jersey. My only home. I love this place. All the stereotypical minutiae. I love the off-the-boat Italians in Lodi and Cliffside Park, with their homemade mozzarella and cannoli. Ah, the smell of the pizza, the aroma of a nice loaf of semolina bread, served with a dish of garlic in olive oil.

The Ethnic Diversity

I love the Korean section of Palisades Park, where there is nary a sign in English. The Japanese restaurants and groceries of Fort Lee, where the definitive sushi is served. The splendour of the homes in Alpine; lush, decadent, mansions. The never-ending selection of beach towns, along the Jersey Shore, as well as the casinos of Atlantic City. The racetrack at the Meadowlands, the rich culture and history of downtown Newark. The legacy of Paterson, whose natives included Lou Costello, William Carlos Williams, and boxer Ruben Hurricaine Carter. If you visit Paterson, you will find a quaint statue of Lou Costello in the aptly named Costello Park. Visit the still amazing Paterson Falls, and take along a copy of William Carlos Williams book of prose entitled, Paterson.

Our Proud Cultural Heritage

There was the Wizard of Menlo Park; Thomas Edison, and his several Jersey Museums. Our musical history consists of Frank Sinatra, (Hoboken), Dionne Warwick (E. Orange), Bruce Springsteen (Freehold), Jon Bon Jovi (Sayreville), Sarah Vaughn (Newark), Count Basie (Red Bank), Lauryn Hill (S. Orange) and rapper Ice-T (Newark). Such renowned authors as Norman Mailer (Long Branch), Walt Whitman (Camden), Allen Ginsberg (Newark), Dorothy Parker (West Bend), Judy Blume (Elizabeth), James Fenimore Cooper (Burlington), Stephen Crane (Newark) and Alfred Joyce Kilmer (New Brunswick).

The state has nurtured many actors, such as Brooke Shields (Haworth), Kevin Spacey (S. Orange), Jack Nicholson (Neptune City), Jerry Lewis (Newark), Joe Piscopo (Passaic), and Meryl Streep (Summit). Current residents include Whitney Houston, Eddie Murphy, and Danny Aiello. Of course, another draw is the authentic filming of The Sopranos all around our fair state.

A little known fact is that Fort Lee was the silent movie capital of the country back in the early part of the 20th century. Movies were made in Fort Lee long before there even was a place called Hollywood. Hundreds of movies were filmed there in the Universal
Studios on Main Street, from 1903 to 1917, starring Mary Pickford, the Barrymores, Billie Dove and D.W. Griffith, among many others.

A leisurely Saturday night can be enjoyed while dining at an (insert ethnicity here) restaurant, a short trip to the racetrack, (Meadowlands or Monmouth) and a moonlit drive down scenic Route 9W. With its proximity to New York City and upstate New York, New Jersey is the crux of the metropolitan areas human factor. A lot of us Northern New Jerseyans commute to New York for work, and as we enjoy our sometimes suburban terrain, we fully benefit from the citys limitless culture. The southwestern NJ area, consisting of Cherry Hill, Camden, Burlington and Trenton, are the neighbors to the city of brotherly love, Philadelphia.

New Jersey is the diversity capital of the East Coast. We have it all, and most of us are lifers! There are several very highly populated counties, Bergen being one of the highest, alongside Hudson, Passaic and Essex. In these counties, we pride ourselves on diversity and our personal heritage, which we have either carried with us from our respective home lands, or inherited from our grandparents. In any spring, summer or autumn month, you will find Greek Festivals, Armenian Festivals, Korean Carnivals, Italian Feasts, Oktoberfests, Polka Fests, and more.

Vacationers Paradise

On the fourth of July there is no better place to be than strolling the waters edge in towns like Jersey City or Edgewater, to view the New York City fireworks display. In the autumn months, many towns, such as Ridgewood, offer steam train rides to view the fall foliage. Of course our world famous beaches are a short drive down (or up) the scenic and peaceful Garden State Parkway. The wild and raucous Seaside Heights and Wildwood areas, the historical and elegant Cape May area, the family oriented Long Beach Island, (LBI for those of you whove seen the bumper sticker), the nude (yep, I said nude) beach at Sandy Hook, and the day-trip friendly Point Pleasant beach. Dont forget to visit the lovely lighthouses of the Jersey Shore, especially Ol Barney at Barnegat.

New Jersey is also the home of Six Flags Great Adventure, The Wild Safari and the new water park addition. We host the Liberty Science Center, and contrary to popular belief, we claim the Statue of Liberty, on Liberty Island, in Jersey City.

Shop Til You Drop

Do you like to shop? Youve come to the right place! Its one thing we do very, very well. Although our Manhattan counterparts may be on the cutting edge of fashion, we, of New Jersey sensibility, rarely pay full price for our indulgences. A trip to the many outlet centers in NJ will result in a higher class of X-mas gift, a sharply dressed pre-schooler, and a set of golf clubs at 50% off retail. Our malls are legendary, with new ones springing up now and again to quell our incessant desire to shop, and to give our younger teens a place to hang out! The recent addition of the Jersey Gardens Mall in Elizabeth, will tempt you with outlet-style stores such as Nautica, Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, Old Navy and Guess. The renovation of The Garden State Plaza is an upscale haven filled with the likes of Neiman Marcus, Betsy Johnson, Steve Madden, Nordstrom and Abercrombie and Fitch.

As I mention money, shopping, and decadence, what better segue could I need to remind you all that the classic family game of Monopoly bears the names of streets located in Atlantic City, NJ. The original Miss America beauty pageant was also held in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 1921.

Recreational Bliss

Do you like auto racing? Visit Englishtowns Raceway Park, Bridgeport Speedway, Flemington Speedway or The Island Dragway. Sports? How about a NJ Nets game? Perhaps the NJ Devils are more your speed? Maybe the NY Giants, who actually play at Giants Stadium located in East Rutherford, NJ, would keep your attention during a quiet Sunday afternoon. The Trenton Thunder, the Eastern League, Double-A Affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, play their home games on Samuel J. Plumeri Sr., Field at Mercer County Waterfront Park, located on the banks of the Delaware River in Trenton. Also, our newest independent baseball teams, including the Newark Bears, playing at River Front Stadium in Newark, the Somerset Patriots, plating at Somerset Park in Bridgewater, and the Atlantic City Surf, whose home field is the aptly named Sandcastle Stadium.

In New Jersey, we also pride ourselves on our higher education options, as we are the home of the top ranked Princeton University, as well as Rutgers University, Kean College, The College of NJ, Seton Hall University, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Ramapo College, among others. Our grammar and high schools produce top rated test scores in National standardized tests.

Our state is rife with nearly 300,000 acres of state parks and nearly 4,000 lakes, ponds and streams. An early morning fishing trip, a hike through the beautiful Kittatinny Mountains, along the Delaware Water Gap, or a camping trip in Tuckerton, beneath the canopy of the Pine Barrens. Small and large conservatories and refuges can be found in nearly every county, and include a personal favorite, Flat Rock Brook Nature Center, in Englewood, NJ, and also include Bass River State Forest, Ramapo Reservation, Wharton State Forest, Ringwood State Park, as well as numerous wildlife management areas located throughout the state.

And just when you think we are all fun and games, well, maybe we are! Atlantic City hosts many glittering examples of Las Vegas style entertainment, including comedians, revues and magic and showcases. The newly renovated John Harms Theatre in Englewood, hosts many touring Broadway productions, and solo artists as well as comedians, touring dance companies, and private productions throughout the year. The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark, is home of the New Jersey State Symphony, the New Jersey State Opera, the American Repertory Ballet, and the New Jersey Chamber Music Society. The NJPAC has showcased many classic and contemporary artists, spanning many genres, and appealing to many cultures.

I Love NJ

I cant really say enough about how much I love New Jersey, other than to testify that I will never leave my NY/NJ area, as I couldnt picture myself anywhere else. You may think we are rude, and some of us are. You may think we are pretentious, well, some of them are. You may think we drive like lunatics, well, weve got our own style of driving- just take notes. Our accent and dialect varies from Northern to Middle to Southern Jersey, but most of us talk like people in commercials and on television- namely Carmela Soprano. We say cawfee and chawclit, and although we have been bombarded with the New Jersey jokes all of our lives, most of us never leave.

If you are visiting New Jersey, enjoy it for what it is. One of the most diverse states of the union, filled with surprises. If you have never been to NJ, I am sure you are surprised at most of what you have just learned. Its not all bada-bing and Parkway exit humor. We have a lot to offer, and enjoy. NJ isnt just my home, its a part of me, and I am proud! Hope to see you there!

[RUBIES77]

Originally Posted by Isabella

So we hear a lot about the good towns in NJ. What town in NJ do you dislike so much that you wouldn’t move there even if they gave you a house for free? We all know that Newark is deeply hated but tell me which other town you hate and why???

In addition to the ones already mentioned: CERTAIN PARTS of Asbury Park, Woodbridge, Linden, Elizabeth, Jersey City, Rahway, Red Bank, Lakewood, and one of the worst high-crime areas : New Brunswick and Plainfield.

[RUBIES77]

Originally Posted by Terrapin2212

I'm surprised nobody's mentioned Asbury Park yet.

CMT.com : Rascal Flatts : Videos

The video to "Feels Like Today" was filmed in Asbury Park which was also mentioned in a National Geographic article as looking like Beirut. I thought that was an exaggeration but even in this video it looks like Beirut or Mogadishu. The abandoned strucutres and decay just reeks of a war zone. See I had to respond when I saw this thread at the top.

New Jersey has no shortage of terrible hellholes and cesspools. Besides Asbury Park...

Camden
Newark
Jersey City
Union City
Patterson
Elizabeth
East Orange (my English professor called it a "trashy slum"....he is from Staten Island)
Atlantic City (don't let the hotels and Boardwalk fool you....most of Atlantic City is very ghetto just like the above places)

SOMENONE mentioned to me that Asbury Park has been taken over by the gay community displaced from New York East/West Village due to high rents, and they are doing fantastic work with it. Would like to hear about it. Thanks,

[RUBIES77]

Originally Posted by nj5-0

The worst towns:
Irvington
Newark
East Orange
Elizabeth
Hillside
JC
Orange
Belleville
Bloomfield
Carteret
Linden
Woodbridge
Edison
Sayreville
Perth Amboy
Asbury Park
Neptune City
Long Branch
Lakewood
Paterson
Passaic
Garfield
Camden
Burlington City
Vineland
Atlantic City
Pleasantville
Absecon
Wildwood
Seaside Heights
Eatontown
Philipsburg
Trenton

And that's just to name a few that I would definitely NOT consider buying in unless I was going to rent out to Section 8's.

Sayreville was rated one of the Top 50 places in America to live, but I wonder who got paid off to get that town listed.

Almost all of the towns listed have become dens of drugs, crime, and violence. Gangs have popped up in almost every town in NJ, but the majority of gang influence remains in those towns.

The low class in each of those towns has chased away any hope of the middle class making a comeback. Even though there may be a few 'nice' areas in those towns, the crap always spills over and winds up in those 'nice' backyards and houses, stealing cars, burglarizing houses, and robbing pedestrians.

To break it up by region:
Stay away from- Hudson, Essex, most of Union, most of Middlesex, Northern Ocean, most of Atlantic, Camden, and some of Burlington and Cumberland counties.

YOU MENTIONED SAYREVILLE, and you are correct in your statement, I would rather be homeless that living there......is a very one-sided town full of racists, who have lived there all their lives without travelling out of it. Now they are putting in new houses, in some areas, I bet the BUILDERS have a lot to do with the statement about being a nice place to live , so they can draw the suckers in from NYC, with a patch of green grass and tree or two. It has an area there that is beginning to give them HELL. There is nothing there except houses, and few restaurants with a menu from the 1800's.

[JackedInPrinceton]

Edison and Woodbridge as the worst towns?? Give me a break!

[RUBIES77]

Originally Posted by Jupiter10

Worst towns on my list would be:

Lodi, Garfield, Paterson, Elmwood Park, South Hackensack and Saddle Brook.

WHOW! LODI, THAT used to be an ITALIAN town, where did they go to?

[RUBIES77]

Originally Posted by dirtyjersey

edison and woodbridge are nothing

EDISON Township so far has stayed very nice, I have worked there for over 25 years, and the reason is that it has lots of NYC transplants with big educations and fat paychecks, looking for a safe place for their children. Even some of the Hassidics from Brooklyn, NY, have lived on Woodbridge Avenue for many years peacefully. It it beginning to get some junk but not that much. The Northern part of Woodbridge is getting a lot of junk that is beginning to spread throroughout, but still has lots of very nice areas and families. Metuchen is a very nice Jewish/Catholic town, also.